Protective effect of methionine on the intestinal oxidative stress and microbiota change induced by nickel

Mechanisms of intestinal injury in polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis caused by low-concentration fluorene pollution: Microbiome and metabonomic analyses

The polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis is used for bioremediation; however, its ability to remove fluorene, a common environmental pollutant, from sediments remains unclear, especially at low concentrations of fluorene (10 mg/kg). In this study, we explored the mechanism of intestinal injury induced by low concentrations of fluorene and the reason intestinal injury is alleviated in high fluorene concentration groups (100 and 1000 mg/kg) using histology, ecological biomarkers, gut microbiome, and metabolic response analyses. The results show that P. aibuhitensis showed high tolerance to fluorene in sediments, with clearance rates ranging 25-50 %. However, the remediation effect at low fluorene concentrations (10 mg/kg) was poor. This is attributed to promoting the growth of harmful microorganisms such as Microvirga, which can cause metabolic disorders, intestinal flora imbalances, and the generation of harmful substances such as 2-hydroxyfluorene. These can result in severe intestinal injury in P. aibuhitensis, reducing its fluorene clearance rate. However, high fluorene concentrations (100 and 1000 mg/kg) may promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms such as Faecalibacterium, which can replace the dominant harmful microorganisms and improve metabolism to reverse the intestinal injury caused by low fluorene concentrations, ultimately restoring the fluorene-removal ability of P. aibuhitensis. This study demonstrates an effective method for evaluating the potential ecological risks of fluorene pollution in marine sediments and provides guidance for using P. aibuhitensis for remediation.

Alterations of gut microbiota and its metabolomics in children with 6PPDQ, PBDE, PCB, and metal(loid) exposure

The composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota can be altered by environmental pollutants. However, the effect of co-exposure to multiple pollutants on the human gut microbiota has not been sufficiently studied. In this study, gut microorganisms and their metabolites were compared between 33 children from Guiyu, an e-waste dismantling and recycling area, and 34 children from Haojiang, a healthy environment. The exposure level was assessed by estimating the daily intake (EDI) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), and metal(loid)s in kindergarten dust. Significant correlations were found between the EDIs of 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, Cu, and the composition of gut microbiota and specific metabolites. The Bayesian kernel machine regression model showed negative correlations between the EDIs of five pollutants (6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu) and the composition of gut microbiota. The EDIs of these five pollutants were positively correlated with the levels of the metabolite 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, while negatively correlated with the levels of d-erythro-sphingosine and d-threitol. Our study suggests that exposure to 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu in kindergarten dust is associated with alterations in the composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota. These alterations may be associated with children's health.

Toxic effect of fluorene on Perinereis aibuhitensis body wall and its corresponding defense mechanisms: A metabolomics perspective

Fluorene is a coastal sediment pollutant with high ecological risk. Perinereis aibuhitensis is an ecotoxicological model used for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation; however, the effects of fluorene on the physiological metabolism of P. aibuhitensis and its corresponding responses remain unclear. This study explored the tolerance and defense responses of P. aibuhitensis in sediments with different fluorene concentrations using histology, ecological biomarkers, and metabolic responses. Metabolomics analyses revealed that P. aibuhitensis has high tolerance to fluorene in sediments. Fluorene stress disrupted the normal metabolism of the P. aibuhitensis body wall, resulting in excessive glycosphospholipid and stearamide accumulation and elevated oxygen consumption rates. To mitigate this, P. aibuhitensis has adopted tail cutting, yellowing, and modulation of metabolite contents in the body wall. This study provides novel insights into the potential ecological risk of fluorene pollution in marine sediments and proposes the use of P. aibuhitensis in the bioremediation of fluorene-contaminated sediments.

United States Grown and Imported Rice on Sale in Las Vegas: Metal(loid)s Composition and Geographic Origin Discrimination

Concentrations of metal(loid)s, Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Sr, V and Zn, were determined in rice on sale in Las Vegas. The rice samples were grown in five different countries, the USA, Thailand, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The elemental concentrations in rice grain were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following hot block-assisted digestion. The accuracy of the laboratory procedure was verified by the analysis of rice flour standard reference material (NIST SRM 1568b). The mean metal(loid) contents in rice of various geographic origins were 3.18-5.91 mg kg-1 for Al, 0.05-0.12 mg kg-1 for As, 3.64-41 μg kg-1 for Cd, 5.11-12 μg kg-1 for Co, 0.12-0.14 mg kg-1 for Cr, 1.5-1.91 mg kg-1 for Cu, 3.04-4.98 mg kg-1 for Fe, 4.2-10.4 mg kg-1 for Mn, 0.21-0.41 mg kg-1 for Ni, 0.02-0.07 mg kg-1 for Se, 0.68-0.88 mg kg-1 for Sr, 3.64-5.26 μg kg-1 for V, and 16.6-19.9 mg kg-1 for Zn. respectively. The mean concentration of As in US rice was significantly higher than in Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi rice. On the other hand, it was found a significantly low mean level of Cd in US-grown rice. It was also found that the concentrations of metal(loid)s in black and brown rice on sale in Las Vegas were statistically similar, except for Mn and Se. The geographic origin traceability of rice grain involved the use of ICP-MS analysis coupled with chemometrics that allowed their differentiation based on the rice metal(loid) profile, thus confirming their origins. Data were processed by linear discriminant analysis, and US and Thai rice samples were cross-validated with higher accuracy (100%). This authentication quickly discriminates US rice from the other regions and adds verifiable food safety measures for consumers.

Effects of hesperidin on the histological structure, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the liver and kidney induced by NiCl2

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hesperidin on the liver and kidney dysfunctions induced by nickel. The mice were divided into six groups: nickel treatment with 80 mg/kg, 160 mg/kg, 320 mg/kg hesperidin groups, 0.5% CMC-Na group, nickel group, and blank control group. Histopathological techniques, biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and the TUNEL method were used to study the changes in structure, functions, oxidative injuries, and apoptosis of the liver and kidney. The results showed that hesperidin could alleviate the weight loss and histological injuries of the liver and kidney induced by nickel, and increase the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) in liver and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and N-acetylglucosidase (NAG) in kidney. In addition, hesperidin could increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver and kidney, decrease the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and inhibit cell apoptosis. It is suggested that hesperidin could help inhibit the toxic effect of nickel on the liver and kidney.

Gut Microbiome Interactions with Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Consequences for Health

Understanding how gut flora interacts with oxidative stress has been the subject of significant research in recent years. There is much evidence demonstrating the existence of the microbiome-oxidative stress interaction. However, the biochemical basis of this interaction is still unclear. In this narrative review, possible pathways of the gut microbiota and oxidative stress interaction are presented, among which genetic underpinnings play an important role. Trimethylamine-N-oxide, mitochondria, short-chain fatty acids, and melatonin also appear to play roles. Moreover, the relationship between oxidative stress and the gut microbiome in obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic ethanol consumption, dietary supplements, and medications is considered. An investigation of the correlation between bacterial community features and OS parameter changes under normal and pathological conditions might provide information for the determination of new research methods. Furthermore, such research could contribute to establishing a foundation for determining the linkers in the microbiome-OS association.

Insights into Intrinsic Atopic Dermatitis: immunogenicity, Dysbiosis, and Imaging (Reflectance Confocal Microscopy, Optical Coherence Tomography)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a frequent inflammatory condition that usually begins during early childhood, but it increasingly starts to debut, even in the elderly. Based on immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and clinical features, two subsets of this disease have been recognized: intrinsic and extrinsic. When speaking about AD, most specialists think about filaggrin (FLG) mutations resulting in epidermal barrier defects, which is the case in most atopic patients, but some have a normal barrier, as seen by imaging, and still have specific clinical lesions along with metal allergies. Specific molecules (IL-10, IFN-γ, and HBD-3) have been shown to greatly impact the interactions between internal and external factors in this peculiar form of AD. A less-known protein, suprabasin, has been highlighted as a promising explanation for nickel anomalies in intrinsic AD.

Effects of chronic Cr and Ni co-exposure on liver inflammation and autophagy in mice by regulating the TLR4/mTOR pathway

Exposure to Cr and/or Ni can have widespread implications on the environment and health. However, the specific toxic effects of chronic Cr and Ni co-exposure on mice liver have not been reported. To ascertain the combined toxic effects of chronic Cr and Ni co-exposure on liver damage in mice, 80 6-week-old female C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the Con group, Cr group (Cr+6 50 mg/L), Ni group (Ni+2 110 mg/L), and Cr + Ni group (Cr+6 50 mg/L + Ni+2 110 mg/L). The trial period lasted for 16 weeks. The results showed that Cr+6 and/or Ni+2 increased liver weight and liver index (P < 0.05) in mice, caused histological abnormality and ultrastructural damage, and micronutrients imbalance in mice liver. These findings serve as the basis for subsequent experiments. Compared with the individual exposure group, chronic Cr and Ni co-exposure resulted in decreased levels and activities of ALT, AST, MDA, T-AOC, and T-SOD (P < 0.05) in liver tissue, and decreased the mRNA expression levels of the TLR4/mTOR pathway related factors (TLR4, TRAM, TRIF, TBK-1, IRF-3, MyD88, IRAK-4, TRAF6, TAK-1, IKKβ, NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, ULK1, Beclin 1, LC3) (P < 0.05) and decreased the protein expression levels of the factors (TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p50, IL-6, TNFα, ULK1, LC3II/LC3I) (P < 0.05). Moreover, factorial analysis revealed the interaction between Cr and Ni, which was manifested as antagonistic effects on Cr concentration, Ni concentration, and TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, mTOR, LC3, and p62 mRNA expression levels. In conclusion, the TLR4/mTOR pathway as a mechanism through which chronic Cr and Ni co-exposure induce liver inflammation and autophagy in mice, and there was an antagonistic effect between Cr and Ni. The above results provided a theoretical basis for understanding the underlying processes.

Association between human blood metabolites and cerebral cortex architecture: evidence from a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Dysregulation of circulating metabolites may affect brain function and cognition, associated with alterations in the cerebral cortex architecture. However, the exact cause remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the causal effect of circulating metabolites on the cerebral cortex architecture.

Methods

This study utilized retrieved data from genome-wide association studies to investigate the relationship between blood metabolites and cortical architecture. A total of 1,091 metabolites and 309 metabolite ratios were used for exposure. The brain cortex surface area and cortex thickness were selected as the primary outcomes in this study. In this study, the inverse variance weighting method was used as the main analytical method, complemented by sensitivity analyses that were more robust to pleiotropy. Furthermore, metabolic pathway analysis was performed via MetaboAnalyst 6.0. Finally, reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to assess the potential for reverse causation.

Results

After correcting for the false discovery rate (FDR), we identified 37 metabolites and 9 metabolite ratios that showed significant causal associations with cortical structures. Among these, Oxalate was found to be most strongly associated with cortical surface area (β: 2387.532, 95% CI 756.570-4018.495, p = 0.037), while Tyrosine was most correlated with cortical thickness (β: -0.015, 95% CI -0.005 to -0.025, p = 0.025). Furthermore, pathway analysis based on metabolites identified six significant metabolic pathways associated with cortical structures and 13 significant metabolic pathways based on metabolite ratios.

Conclusion

The identified metabolites and relevant metabolic pathways reveal potential therapeutic pathways for reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. These findings will help guide health policies and clinical practice in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Microbial colony sequencing combined with metabolomics revealed the effects of chronic hexavalent chromium and nickel combined exposure on intestinal inflammation in mice

The pollution and toxic effects of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and divalent nickel [Ni(II)] have become worldwide public health issues. However, the potential detailed effects of chronic combined Cr(VI) and Ni exposure on colonic inflammation in mice have not been reported. In this study, 16S rDNA sequencing, metabolomics data analysis, qPCR and other related experimental techniques were used to comprehensively explore the mechanism of toxic damage and the inflammatory response of the colon in mice under the co-toxicity of chronic hexavalent chromium and nickel. The results showed that long-term exposure to Cr(VI) and/or Ni resulted in an imbalance of trace elements in the colon of mice with significant inflammatory infiltration of tissues. Moreover, Cr(VI) and/or Ni poisoning upregulated the expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, JAK2 and STAT3 mRNA, and downregulated IL-10 mRNA, which was highly consistent with the trend in protein expression. Combined with multiomics analysis, Cr(VI) and/or Ni could change the α diversity and β diversity of the gut microbiota and induce significant differential changes in metabolites such as Pyroglu-Glu-Lys, Val-Asp-Arg, stearidonic acid, and 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid. They are also associated with disorders of important metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between gut microbes and metabolites (P < 0.05). In summary, based on the advantages of comprehensive analysis of high-throughput sequencing sets, these results suggest that chronic exposure to Cr(VI) and Ni in combination can cause microbial flora imbalances, induce metabolic disorders, and subsequently cause colonic damage in mice. These data provide new insights into the toxicology and molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI) and Ni.